Breastfeeding

[Purple Banana]

How does everyone feel about breastfeeding?

I work with a lot of new moms who have never had experience with latching on- trust me, it can be very difficult to begin breastfeeding, in addition to the plethora of complications (underdeveloped milk ducts, mastitis, nipple soreness) and I find more women, particularly younger moms, are choosing to go to formula.

For the moms out there, did you breastfeed, or use formula? Or even both? Which did you find suited you better?

In addition to a slow rise of formula using moms, how do you feel about breastfeeding in public place- given that the breast is hidden, and the mom is not obvious about it; I've had women breastfeed so well, I couldn't even tell what they were doing...
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As for my thoughts, I would love to see more moms breastfeeding. It creates a GREAT bond bewteen mom and her baby, the breastmilk is perfectly formulated for the baby's caloric and nutritional needs, and it's natural.

As for breastfeeding in public, I think if a woman is discreet about it, there should definately not be a problem with it. I think more conservative sides of the argument claim breast=sex, no matter if a breast is used in a sexual manner or not. Unless they provide public rooms for it, it should not be banned. People don't HAVE to watch.

[birdgirl73]

Great thread, Purple B!!

I'd practically volunteer to be the president of La Leche League, I think it's so important. I only did it for a year and five months and probably would have done it longer, but he weaned himself. It has such great health benefits for both baby and mom. It was definitely a hassle. I had mastitis, and my baby had the mouth of a ferocious piranha. As I adjusted to it and toughened up, it began to feel great. Nursing in public is awkward at best, especially as uptight as some people are, and I'm modest. Pumping is a pain. Leaking is embarrassing. And one of the things no one ever warned me about was the fact that it would add an awkward element to my sex life. Mamas-to-be, if you've never been a Grafenberg-squirting kind of girl when you crest your sexual peak, you'll be a twin-squirting kind of girl when you do during the breastfeeding months/years. Unless you've just nursed yourself dry before hitting the sack--in which case you're unlikely to be aroused enough to want sex--hope you have a husband who regards that as wildly funny and arousing. Looking back, I'm glad I did it for my son but also for how much it lowers my own risk of breast cancer. I have had friends who've really lamented the loss of their breast shape after nursing, but I guess I was either so young or so small-breasted that it didn't have that effect on me.

[Purple Banana]

I volunteer with WIC every Tuesday morning from 8am-11am for a walk-in free kind of breast feeding help session- the moms all sit around in a conference room, breastfeeding, and the more experienced moms and I help other members with latching, sorenesss, technique, questions- it's so much fun, and it's such a great experience.

I love La Leche League!

[birdgirl73]

That's so great! I wish they'd had a program like that at my hospital. They had a lactation consultant but no experienced nursing moms in a group, and it helps to have an actual breastfeeding woman demonstrate techniques, I'm sure. Plus just the emotional support, especially if it's rough at first, which I found it to be. That's lovely that that's part of your job. If that doesn't contribute to the betterment of society, I don't know what does. (My husband told me he thinks you need to stay in medicine!)

[Breukelen advocaat]

I don't know what they call it, but there is a device that allows breastfeeding women to extract their milk and save it until they have an opportune time to feed their baby. There was a women at my wife's workplace that did it in the ladyâ??s lounge, and put the bottled stuff in the employees' refrigerator for the rest of the day - where many of them kept their lunch, snacks, etc. Even parents were disgusted by it, many employees complained to management, and she was told to stop the practice.

[Purple Banana]

Thanks, Dr. Byrd and BG- that means a lot coming from you :)

I'm still considering nursing, I would still only have 2 more years left to get my BSN. I was briefly considering being a pediatrician, but I realized I couldn't possibly get past the physical sciences; I've taken physics 3 times with different (and splendid) professors, but I couldn't grasp it at all.

Maybe I'll get my BSN and go on to become a CRNP. Maybe do patient education? I don't know. I'm 19, and I have a ton of time to do what I want with my life. I just want to get back to classes, but I'm waiting to get everything sorted out.

EDIT: BA, of course that's not sanitary, but instead of simply coming onto the threads and comlaining about a single scenario you have encountered, why don't you lift your negativity veil, and say something to actually contribute to the thread?

What you're mentioning is breast pumping- it doesn't extract the milk nearly as well as natural breastfeeding, and it completely erases the mom/baby bond. But once in a while, it's fine.

[birdgirl73]

That's breast-pumping and bottle-storage of the pumped milk, Breuk. And women with colleagues like that are wise to bring little cold storage packs or ice chests, which, in Manhattan, must be impossibly difficult. I'm betting more and more large companies have breast feeding areas and refrigerators. My former employer does (but didn't in my day). I helped influence that change.

[birdgirl73]

If it makes you feel any better, PB, I still get panic attacks when faced with physical-science type equations even now. Biochemistry sneaks them in from time to time. And it's scary enough on its own. My heart goes out to you on that challenge because I never felt--and never will feel--comfortable with that area of this science, either.

[Purple Banana]

And it's a real crapper, because I LOVE learning A&P, especially reproductive, neurological, and cardiac systems...

Neurology would also sound like a very interesting field to go into.

[napolitana869]

I hate it when people complain about women breast feeding in public when they're all covered up and nothing is exposed. I feel bad for nursing moms. They're always told that its best for the baby but then they turn around and people give them hell doing it. The benefits of it out weigh anything negative that comes of of accidently seeing part of some womans boob.

[Purple Banana]

If you're a guy, chances are you have or you're gonna see a breasts. If you're a woman, YOU HAVE breasts.

I really don't see why some people get into a big fuss about it.

Good point, Napolitana, for the double standard of pro-breastfeeding and anti-breastfeeding in public stance.

Do you know in NYC, it is legal for a woman to go topless in public?

[40oz]

Great thread, Purple B!!

And one of the things no one ever warned me about was the fact that it would add an awkward element to my sex life. Mamas-to-be, if you've never been a Grafenberg-squirting kind of girl when you crest your sexual peak, you'll be a twin-squirting kind of girl when you do during the breastfeeding months/years. Unless you've just nursed yourself dry before hitting the sack--in which case you're unlikely to be aroused enough to want sex--hope you have a husband who regards that as wildly funny and arousing.

wow i learned something new/icky today.

[birdgirl73]

Yeah, it was definitely something I regarded as icky, too. And slightly sticky as well since breast milk is so sweet. And who wants to have sex while wearing a bra with big ole nursing pads in there to protect from being drenched?

My husband was a lot more at ease with that than I was, but he's probably more comfortable in general with physiological processes of any kind, men's or women's. One of the drawbacks to nursing is that it temporarily relieves most women of their desire to have sex, and that's not easy on husbands, who're having to get used to sharing her with a baby anyway. I've read the lack of desire at that time is because of the hormones involved and also because there's so much physical bonding with the baby that there's simply less desire for it with anyone else during that phase.

I wish we'd gotten more mamas to chime in on this thread. Purple Banana, let's keep bumping it, and if all else fails and you want me to, I can move it into the parenting sub-forum and see if we get more input there instead.

[Breukelen advocaat]

Do you know in NYC, it is legal for a woman to go topless in public?

It may be legal, but I've only seen it once once, a few months ago, when a deranged women exposed herself on a bus in Brooklyn. She also verbally abused passengers.

I remember when I was a kid, there was a report on the radio that a guy was arrested in Manhattan that was running around naked. When the cops caught him, he said "You can't see me. I'm the Invisible Man!" My father said, "Where he's going, he'll be invisible for a long time". Some things from childhood you never forget.

[birdgirl73]

Why's public toplessness legal in NYC? Is it because of breast feeding or because of stripper bars or something?

[TX Girl]

I bf my daughter for a long time. It was the greatest/hardest/wonderfulest thing. It took 3 semi miserable weeks to get established but after that it was utterly :wtf: fantastic. no bottles, just find a quiet spot anywhere if you are out, not having to get out of bed at night.

People are so weird. Or should I say North Americans? Its a boob get over it and let women tend to babies as they have been tended to since the dawn of man. I wonder if any European moms are around, you know its a non issue most places there

[Bree1978]

I did both, bottle-fed one, breast-fed the other. I liked bottle feeding for soooo many reasons but loved bfing even more! Yes the bond is wonderful, it is nutritionally superior, is almost free except that Medela breast pump, and -excuse my brazenness- made coitus stellar for me ! I felt sexy and in no way disgusted. I guess everyone percieves things differently. BTW...I continued to produce milk long after weaning, but only letdown during copulation....lol.
So I guess I see both sides of the coin...but not about bfing in public, I've always thought that should be a woman's right....I also believe it should be discreet, but also not bullied into feeding in the car or public bathroom. I DID bf in public, I believe only twice. It was necessary and unavoidable.

Having said all that I would never go out and promote (in my mind PUSH because that is how I have felt, regardless how the subject was broached) bfing past except speaking with my friends/family. That is on the stipulation that subject was topical....This post of mine was pretty risque, and I couldn't think of talking about it past "Oh, you breastfeed, want to, or are considering? I can help"....


One more thing I wanted to add....
Purple Banna said In addition to a slow rise of formula using moms

Where did that information come from? I was just curious...

Good Thread...


:jointsmile: Bree

[Purple Banana]

I'm sorry, I should have clarified- the head of the lactation dept. and I were casually discussing it, and she showed me the records for breastfeeding visits in the hospital over 5 years (visits are based on whether or not a mom breastfeeds- just an informative session, and whatever method the mom chooses is charted on her chart), and it's gone down about 30% in 5 years. I don't know how accurately that portrays the US or any other regional figures, but again, I should have clarified :)

[napolitana869]

How long are you supposed to breast feed? My mom did it for 6 months for me, but then you hear about women who do it until thier kids are 2 or 3 years old. How long is normal?

[Storm Crow]

I was breast fed for one week, when my Mom gave up because I bit her! I nursed both of my kids for 2 years. It wasn't easy! The last 6 months or so were mostly "comfort nursing", when my child was hurt or bummed out for some reason. In some cultures, nursing for 5 years isn't that unusual. Babies should be nursed for at least 6 months. It helps their immune system and prevents allergies. Mama Nature knows best and formulas don't make it! Mine didn't get solid food until they started trying to grab it from me. - Granny:hippy:

[dutch.lover]

^^Rats you beat me to the immune system bit! Breast milk is more nutritious, and yes, it also transfers the mothers antibodies to the baby hence boosting the baby's immune system.

I definitely plan on BF when I have kid(s).

[birdgirl73]

There are really no set rules about it, Natpolitana. In general, the longer you can do it, the better, but just like Storm Crow experienced, once they get past a year and a half and are toddling around and also eating solids, too, they mostly just want to nurse for comfort and nuturing. The babies get the immunity benefits fairly fast, like during the very early weeks and months, which is, I'm sure, nature's design for protecting them when they're at their most vulnerable. A large part of the immuno-protection comes to the babies through the colostrum, which is is the "first milk" substance that isn't even really milk.
Colostrum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colostrum)

One of the neatest things is that pregnancies and breastfeeding both reduce a women's risk of developing breast cancer, and they lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, too. No one fully understands how or why this benefit occurs, but it appears to be beneficial to the female body to give it a break from ovulation. (Just as you don't ovulate and have a normal monthly cycle when you're pregnant, you usually don't ovulate when you're nursing, either.)
Why Breastfeed?* You will have less chance of* Breast Cancer and other Cancers (http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_breast_cancer.html)

[40oz]

One of the neatest things is that pregnancies and breastfeeding both reduce a women's risk of developing breast cancer, and they lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer, too. No one fully understands how and why this benefit occurs, but it appears to be beneficial to the female body to give it a break from ovulation. (Just as you don't ovulate and have a normal monthly cycle when you're pregnant, you usually don't ovulate when you're nursing, either.)
Why Breastfeed? You will have less chance of Breast Cancer and other Cancers (http://www.breastfeeding.com/all_about/all_about_breast_cancer.html)



Maybe its nature's way of giving you incentives to be a mom and do it the natural way.

Use it or loose it baby.

[dutch.lover]

Birdgirl, I think I may know why breastfeeding reduces women's chances of getting breast cancer (i dunno about cancer in general though)... Most breast cancer tumors are estrogen dependant, and when breastfeeding, women's reproductive hormones are repressed- natures way of preventing another baby too soon. If estrogen is lowered, I would assume the chances of getting estrogen-dependant breast cancer would be lowered as well. Interesting stuff.

edit: I learned about the estrogen-dependant tumors in my Psychology of Sexuality class, but you can read more about it here Research Page: Control of Estrogen Production in Breast Cancer (http://cabreastcancer.org/research/PageGrant.asp?grant_id=50)

[birdgirl73]

Makes sense to me! And that's certainly what that article at the link I posted above said, too. I think with the other cancers whose chances are lowered as a result of breastfeeding and pregnancy, the lowered estrogen plays a role, too. This makes sense, also, because on the opposite side end of this situation, taking artificial estrogens like, say, after menopause, can increase the risks of those same cancers.

[Chronic Chrissy]

I don't know what they call it, but there is a device that allows breastfeeding women to extract their milk and save it until they have an opportune time to feed their baby. There was a women at my wife's workplace that did it in the ladyâ??s lounge, and put the bottled stuff in the employees' refrigerator for the rest of the day - where many of them kept their lunch, snacks, etc. Even parents were disgusted by it, many employees complained to management, and she was told to stop the practice.

I would have sued! I did pump at work and stored it in the fridge. I am a 19 year old BF mom to an 8 month old. I don't care if you pump or supply it strait from the tap Breast is best. We plan on 1 year because after that cows milk can be used. I also believe that all children NEED for the first year is breastmilk, Solids are something the child and parents choose to start but are not needed till after the first year. That being said We do eat solids here. As for BF in public I'll whip it out anywhere anytime, I tried to cover up in the begining but she just pulls the covers off. I'm perfectly fine with that. When my babe needs to eat I feed her. It is completely natural.

I feel that formula should have to be prescribed for mothers who can not breastfeed or choose not to with the support of their doctor. Especially people on social assistence, they should be breastfeeding it's free. I had major issues adjusting to the sexual nature of breasts while pregnant and dealt with the pain and adjustment.

Really when you look at it breastfeeding is cheaper, easier once established, better for your child and chasnges as your child grows. I hear so many sleep deprived moms talk about night wakings and feedings, you just take your babe into bed feed her then move her back to her crib.

I practiced some areas of ATTACHMENT PARENTING and breastfeeding is a large foundation of it. If you really want to check these places out and read why some people choose to extend breastfeeding.
Breast feeding beyond infancy Breastfeeding Beyond Infancy - MotheringDotCommune Forums (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=310)
Child lead weaning Child-Led Weaning - MotheringDotCommune Forums (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=305)
Breastfeeding in general Breastfeeding - MotheringDotCommune Forums (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=27)
And breastfeeding challenges Breastfeeding Challenges - MotheringDotCommune Forums (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=363)
And Lactivism for the work related issues, Lactivism - MotheringDotCommune Forums (http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=25)

Breastfeeding is our right and pumping is an extension of that that needs to be protected and encouraged

[dutch.lover]

I agree with you...I really don't see a problem with storing breast milk in an office fridge. Formula would be ok, right? As long as the bottle is clean and milk isn't leaking all over the place I really don't see what all the fuss would be about. BF is natural, and it's the healthiest way to feed a baby so it should be encouraged.

[Mrs. Greenjeans]

Jumping in late here...quick post, I'll come back to this later if it's still active.

I breastfed both my daughters, the older one until she was 3 and 1/2, the second one until she was 2 and 1/4. After the 2nd one was born, I tandem nursed for nearly a month, then I just couldn't take it anymore LOL! I used to have a hard time keeping weight on, and those two were literally draining me dry. I had no ass at all. I was skin, bones, and giant mammaries.

I breastfed my kids everywhere I went. Church, mall, restaurants, courthouse, park, you name it. Nobody ever seemed to mind, or actually even notice. I am a staunch advocate of breastfeeding. I did a paper on it in college, which I had to present. I gave my speech with my daughter at my side, and she was so charming, intelligent, and such a picture of robust health that many younger girls came to me after class to tell me they were going to breastfeed when they had children.

[Purple Banana]

I am excited to begin having kids so that I can breastfeed, that is, when I have a steady job, good income, a loving man, ect.

It sounds kind of cheesy, but whenever I see the looks of happiness on a mom who just got her baby to latch well for the first time, it makes me swell up inside with happiness :D